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Friday, 31 October 2014

So How Did I Quit The Cubicle For The Road?

It’s been over
a year now since I bade a very heart-wrenching goodbye to my cubicle. Quitting
the 9-5 job and switching to freelancing was not on my mind at that time (not
that I loved what I was doing). Although I was a professional writer, I never
really got my due. I always felt suffocated and miserable. Until last year, I
was giving my blog only the leftover time. I
used to stay up late to do what I really wanted to do, and I had to rush in the
morning to a place that I hated.

Now I work from places like these... :)

I think I just got too lucky
fortunate to have come to a point where I was left with no option but to follow
my dream. I was kicked out to do what I
enjoyed doing the most. My heart wants to say a million thanks to the nasty
manager I got in Mumbai. Yes, the revelation happened when I moved to Mumbai.
The job I was doing in Delhi sucked. Actually, not the job but everything about
the office, the system and the management sucked. So, it just happened that
when I got a new job in Mumbai, I took it as an opportunity to escape what I
was doing in Delhi. However, somewhere deep down in my heart, I knew that what
I had taken up was not going to last. I knew that I didn’t want to do even what
I had accepted in Mumbai. But, I was still happy, because I wanted to take this
‘new change’ like a traveller. Mumbai has always been my favourite city, so
when I got a chance to live there as a local, I couldn’t let it go.

I was kicked out to travel. :)

Even though I landed in a much worse
place in Mumbai, it was a change in my
life, which I really needed at that point of time. So yes, I was unhappy,
but still happy. The day I joined that new office in Mumbai I started looking
for new jobs. It was a point in my life when I couldn’t think of quitting even
if I didn’t like what I was doing. Thus, I tried my level best to find a work
that would please me and also pay me well. My family was moving to Hyderabad at
the same time. So, it was a wrong time to tell my people at home that I wanted
to quit. I just couldn’t do it. I had to stand by them and besides, I too
wanted to earn well to fulfil my own personal goals.

My cubicles keep changing :)

But, God (I wouldn’t like to use
the word destiny) had some other plans for me. While I was madly, diligently
and ferociously hunting for a new job in Mumbai, He was secretly devising
something else for me. I had already lost the job that I was doing. It was a foregone
conclusion of what had been happening at that crappy workplace. I wasn’t
surprised. But, I couldn’t deny the fact that I needed work. So the hunt continued
for a while.

The voyager in me continued to sail despite the rough winds...

Even though I was in terrible
pain, I enjoyed my sojourn in Mumbai.
Just after I lost my job, I took a solo expedition to Matheran, a hill station
near Mumbai. I was short on money, but full of enthusiasm. I didn’t let the
sudden financial upheaval deter the ‘voyager’ in me. I also went to Pune with a
friend.

The change of heart happened here...

Then one fine day, everything changed. I went for an interview in
South Mumbai near Churchgate station. While I was being interviewed, I had a
slight fear in my heart – fear of getting the offer letter. Yes, I was scared
to get the job. Although I performed well and did my best to convince the
interviewer that I fit the bill completely, my heart had taken a new turn
already. I was called again the following day for another round. Obviously, I
was double-minded about it. But I still went for it anyway. I took my camera
along, as I had also planned to explore South Mumbai that day. So, quickly
after the interview, I set out on my jaunt.

I remember the exact moment when
I knew that I didn’t want to go for any more interviews – it was when I was at
National Gallery Of Modern Art and I got a call from a job consultant. While
talking to him, I was totally convinced in my heart that I didn’t want to do
it, but I still assured him that I would show up for the interview. My heart
was clear about what it really wanted, but my mind was still a slave to the
usual ‘safe and secure’ life syndrome.

South Mumbai - Wandering the streets, clicking pictures, meeting random people...this is what I truly enjoy!

After that particular call, my heart was overjoyed with its new found freedom.
As I walked the streets of South Mumbai, I had a strong feeling that this was
what I wanted. I loved my freedom. It was a fabulous day! I walked so much that
day that I had painful feet at the end of it, but my heart rejoiced.

As days passed by, my belief to switch to full time travel
blogging and freelance writing got firmer. Finally, I left Mumbai and came
to Hyderabad where my family and a new home were waiting for me.

Dandeli - On my first sponsored trip

But the freelance writing thing
didn’t happen so easily. I had to wait for months. In the meantime, I worked
hard on my blog. And then gradually, I began to see some fruits on the tree
that I had planted. I was invited to visit Dandeli (a place in North Karnataka)
by Dandeli Official Travel Partners. It was a big pat on my back. Quite soon
after that, I got my first freelance writing project also.

Well, I wouldn’t say that all has
been rosy since, but I am on my way to where I want to be.

I just want to sum up with a
verse from the Bible - “And we know that
in all things God works for the good of those who love him.”

Did my story inspire you? Do you have any questions? Ask away in
the comments section!

67 comments:

It is thoroughly inspiring Renuka. :) one more thing, even though u hated ur jobs, u gave your 100%. U were simply amazing as a colleague. Now when u have decided to pursue your dreams, I wish u success. May God plan the best travel itineraries for you so that we can read some of the most entertaining amd inspiring travelogues. :) All the best!

Wow, Really its too tough to get out from the things you are giving your 100% just for sustaining your day life. I'm very happy read that, how a day came in your life and you spread your wings and find out the way was actually waiting for you.

Personally, The element you use to describe yours blog is full of enthusiasm and motivating.

I've been there too so I know that it's not easy to leave everything to travel instead, I mean once I actually did it was fine and I don't have any regrets about it, but I think you have to be a little brave to make the actual decision! Keep traveling! :)

That is incredibly inspiring. And it's pretty amazing you've been able to make your dreams come true. I actually do have a question about how you got your start freelancing. I've worked as a professional writer as well. It was brief, but I have been published. I'm currently trying to find freelance jobs, preferably in the travel field. Do you have any suggestions on where to start? For example, how and where did you first start pitching? I'm finding it difficult to find legitimate places to publish that will actually get me noticed. I realize this is a vague question but any information would be very much appreciated :) You can always email me at thetravellush@gmail.com!

Thanks Justine! You have always been so supportive. Yes, to get your first freelance writing project is difficult. There are websites like odesk, freelance and elance that offer a space to freelancers. If you want to you can register yourself on all these sites, and see what works out for you. All the best!

Hats off !!! you are a great inspiration to many GIRLS out there... and even to me ! Thank you for posting this and letting us know what it is to follow your dreams...the happiness you get then is ultimate !!! May god bless you with more, much more than you could ever dream of.

I love posts like this - they are inspiring and show that everyone's path is very different but that it is possible to achieve happiness (whatever that may be) even if the road to get there isn't conventional! Congratulations Renuka :)

A Beautiful approach towards life :) Kudos ! I was literally smiling, A big smile when i read that description about the second round of the Interview in Mumbai, that you were going there, not for the Interview but to EXPLORE south Mumbai. i could relate it to my life while reading! I am happy now i am sharing it on my page : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rang-of-India/283645011838044

"... and are called according to His purpose." :) The cubicle is obviously not where you were meant to be. It seems a shame that so many people allow fear to hold them prisoner in a job they detest. What a sad way to spend a life. Since you lost your source of steady income, have you ever gone hungry or homeless? I know I haven't. Quitting was the best thing I could have done.

Thank you Linda! :) Yes, all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Yes, by God's abundant grace, I was never hungry or homeless. In fact, I moved into a new home in Hyderabad - it's our own house! I did go through a tough phase, but God was with me through it. Now I have come a long way...I am on my way!

True, Stephanie! It is difficult to step out, but once you take that first, the rest of the journey is pretty interesting. I wouldn't say things are all rosy for me, because I have to constantly look for new work, but I have freedom to be my own boss and polish my creativity. Hope you are able to do what you really want to do soon! All the best!

Hello Renuka! I am incredibly inspired by your blog and your mission. I too would like to travel full time and blog about it. I am currently practicing law in California. Although I'm grateful for my career, my soul remains unfulfilled. I will be in India for a wedding next October and would love to meet you!

Oh that would be great, Brittany! :-) I'd love to meet you too! I'm glad to know that you are inspired by my blog. All I can say is that doing what you are really passionate about is the best thing to do.

Gr8 post Renuka :) From the start till the end I had a cute :) on my face as I can feel we are connected !! May be bcoz even I have given-up 4-5 years of Corporate Work and have started finding myself through my blog.

Your heart knows what is the best for you and your beautiful post proves how important it is to listen to your own inner voice. It is only when i read your amazing blog stories, i feel the deep enthusiasm to write myself. May be someday it will happen and my reason for writing will be your inspiring stories and your adventurous tales of several cities.

Thanks a ton! :-) Yeah, listening to your heart is so important, and to know if your heart is right you need to follow peace. There is an amazing peace that you feel once you do what you are supposed to do.

I have tried my level best to fit this role of travel blogging and writing :) I m trying hard still.But you have to telme how to I ensure that people come to my blog and leave comments. I hardly get those :( Btw hats off to your beautiful motivation you will do wonders :)

As far as comments are concerned, I'd advise not to worry about it too much. Just focus on churning out good and valuable content consistently. Write for search engine and not for your fellow bloggers. That said, I wouldn't deny the truth that it feels terrible when you don't receive comments. If you like to see more comments on your posts (for encouragement and feel good factor), make it a point to comment on other blogs. But at the end of the day, what matters is what you write is inspiring, informative and interesting. All the best!

I am a photographer and recently started to jot down my stories as a travel blog. Initially I am using free blog sites to see how it turns out. I am completely new to travel blogging although I travel a lot mostly in India. I am confused as to choose the right path towards better blogging.

I am improving my writing skills. But I was more concerned how did you managed to get your first travel assignment, which you mentioned above ? How do you suggest I should do the perfect marketing of the blog or any suggestions on how did you do it?

You can review my blog which is at a very novice stage but every big thing has a beginning right? as you had some day.

I know its very hard to teach creativity or anything like that but if some pointers when provided by experts to beginners, it means and it inspires a lot to our novice tribe ;)

Nice to know that you have started a blog! It's wonderful to write about your travel experiences and share them with the world. The simplest technique to making your blog a success is working hard at it. Yes, you will have to sow without expecting anything. Your motivation to write a blog should come out of your sheer love for writing and sharing. As long as you can write well, help people with your knowledge, experience and tips, your readers will grow. But, all of it doesn't happen as early as you might expect. You should also learn the art of patience. Learn to enjoy the process of growing a blog - it takes time. All the best!

Hi renuka, Your story inspired me a lot. I am a hardcore journalist with a media house but this spark in heart constantly reminds me that the only thing i want to do is to write and that to for me. :an independent writer". I just started with a blog do visit if u get time, http://bit.ly/1GhE340 good luck :)

Voyager For Life

Hi! I'm Renuka, an Indian Travel Blogger who loves to travel and click photographs. I travel solo, and with anybody who's as curious as me. :-) I believe more than money one needs 'courage' to travel, and more than destinations, I like to count 'experiences', because the real meaning of travel is to discover, learn and grow.